I had 12 years at a major tech company, then I contracted for awhile. Before the bust I felt like a film star fielding calls whenever I was looking for work. Fu

I had 12 years at a major tech company, then I contracted for awhile. Before the bust I felt like a film star fielding calls whenever I was looking for work. Fun is the word; I was so in demand. When the bust hit I was actually choosing to take some time off (and taking classes). After that I was the only person in my Java class who got a job, out of 35 or so, and that job was one third my previous contractor hourly, and it was intermittent. On, off, on, off, with that small company. One of my friends in my class was unemployed for two years. I live in SF and the Mission had been flooded with bright young wannabes with shiny degrees, and they all disappeared during the bust. One horrifying thing happened that I was close to. The small company that I had gotten a gig with went under and the CEO committed suicide. That was a few months after my final check. He was a brilliant and funny guy. I have had a lovely run of success lately and I try to remember how much of it is luck plus timing. Also we underestimate the true hardness of hard times. Best to be appreciative.